Commercial panini presses are available in 110V for the smaller, single panini press, and typically 220V for the larger, double presses. The grill surface can be solid cast iron, or solid aluminum, or aluminum coated with teflon.

The majority of commercial panini presses are manufactured in Italy - although there are also manufacturers in the US, South Africa, and other parts of the world.

Panini Presses traditionally found in cafes, bars and trattorias from Firenze to Napoli, Venezia to Turino, the popularity of Italian panini presses has surged across Europe and recently to North American shores. Italy's greatest cultural export in the last decade has been the seductively simple, yet flavor bursting pressed panini grill sandwich.

Panini is simply the Italian name for sandwich, however it is almost always used in reference to sandwiches that are placed in a two-sided cooking press that compresses and grills the sandwich until hot and toasted.

Using expressive and fresh ingredients are key to the traditional panini press sandwich. Popular is quality artisan bread such as ciabatta rolls, foccacia or baguette - sliced open and filled with your choice of vegetables, cheese or meats.

Panini Grills History:

Although the Earl of Sandwich is credited with creating the sandwich in eighteenth-century England, bread has been a major part of Italian eating traditions since Roman times. It was only natural to have the marriage of bread and filling, and the next step was to grill this concoction - making the first panini press sandwich.

Panini Press sandwiches are part of the snacking tradition in Italy to be savored as a light bite between meals, miniature panini served with drinks before dinner, a panini pressed sandwich tucked into a basket to be eaten at a picnic or on a train. Although having a panini press sandwich for lunch at one time went against tradition, modern life has started to change some of those customs. At midday, caffes and bars are crowded with working people enjoying freshly made panini press sandwiches.

In Italy, where bread is such an important part of life, delicious desserts are often made on panini grills. Mouth watering bittersweet chocolate finds it's way into a panini pressed sandwich, as well as panini's made from nuts, fresh fruits, and even gelato.

Panini pressed sandwiches are an important and exciting addition to any Cafe, deli or restaurant..